Iglesia stepping up pro-poor programs

In line with directives of Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ or INC) Executive Minister Ka Eduardo V. Manalo to expand the church’s anti-poverty projects, particularly the Lingap sa Mamamayan Program (LMP) under the Felix Y. Manalo (FYM) Foundation, the INC has stepped up its 2016 outreach programs for poor Filipinos.

On January 9, the LMP started the programs by distributing more than 20,000 food packs to indigent residents of Taguig City (Metro Manila) held at the Maharlika Trade Center on Mindanao Avenue in Barangay Maharlika.

It also made available to thousands of the residents dental and medical services onsite.

Some 1,500 medical and security personnel were deployed to ensure the safety and convenience of the beneficiaries.

The activity was conducted in coordination with the office of Yasser Garnace Pangandaman, Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) president of Taguig City.

Another LMP activity was conducted in the INC locale of Tondo Chapel where 10,000 residents from Baseco and Parola were also given food packs.

INC General Auditor Glicerio Santos Jr. said the intensified programs to combat poverty and assist struggling communities in the country will be top priorities of the church’s outreach programs this year.

“[M]uch emphasis has been placed on the [INC’s] outreach and socio-civic activities, which seek to benefit not just INC members, but also less fortunate communities around the country who need help,” he added.

The Lingap sa Mamamayan activities for 2016 kicked off at the Culiat Muslim compound in Novaliches, Quezon City, on January 2, as part of an annual activity held to commemorate the birthday of former INC Executive Minister Ka Eraño G. Manalo, a tradition now being continued by Ka Eduardo.

The activity also involved free medical and dental services and distribution of basic goods.

The three activities were followed by the launching of a new eco-farming site in Cotabato, which is expected to provide livelihood for 8,400 members of the lumad (indigenous people) communities.

The new eco-farming site has an area of 16,000 hectares.

The INC will also provide a mini water reservoir, farm equipment, farm input, land tilling tools and vehicles for the use of the farm.